Energetic cyclists from across the region have raised more than £4,000 for charity.

Seven Tynesiders were among 270 people who took part in a sponsored cycle ride from London to France in aid of The Mission to Seafarers and the Sea Alarm Foundation, in May.

The event, which raised more than £230,000, attracted cyclists from across the globe, including Germany, Hong Kong, Monaco, Norway and the US.

Among the cyclists were Andy Kirkham, James Stokoe and Ed Davies from marine insurance company, North of England Protection & Indemnity Club, Newcastle.

Ed, 28, of Heaton, Newcastle, said: "We decided to take part in the charity bike ride as we have close contacts with The Mission to Seafarers. As a P&I club, we have around 350 shipowners worldwide with about 3,000 vessels between them, and for all of whom the charity is a vital source of support, so we thought it would be a fitting cause." The fit trio raised £2,565 in sponsorship from the 200km Tour Pour La Mer event, which saw them cycling from the Cutty Sark tea clipper in Greenwich, London, to Le Touquet in France.

Ed, an internal auditor, added: "It was a bit daunting, as we hadn't really done anything like this before and we only had three training sessions beforehand.

"However, when we got going, I found myself really enjoying it. The weather was brilliant, and I felt a real sense of achievement when we finally arrived at Le Touquet. I would definitely do something like that again."

Lawyers Joe Boadan, Jonathan Green and Guy Mills of Mills and Co, along with assistant solicitor Allen Marks also took part in the two day event, raising £1,527 with their pedal power.

Partner Joe Boadan said: "We hadn't really cycled long distance before the cycle, so it was quite difficult, but we were determined to finish the Tour because we believe in what the Mission does for seafarers."